When it comes to cybersecurity, time is critical. One of the key performance metrics used to gauge the effectiveness of security response is MTTR — Mean Time to Resolve. While commonly used in IT operations, MTTR holds significant weight in penetration testing and vulnerability management as well.
MTTR (Mean Time to Resolve) is the average time it takes to fully resolve a security vulnerability — from the moment it’s discovered to the point it’s completely remediated and validated. It reflects not just detection speed, but also how efficiently teams prioritize, fix, and verify issues.
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MTTR in Penetration Testing
In penetration testing, MTTR begins when a security issue is reported in the test findings and ends when:
- The issue is triaged and confirmed.
- A fix or mitigation is implemented.
- The fix is tested and verified by the security team.
For example, if a pentest reveals an exposed admin interface, MTTR would cover the time taken from the initial report to securing the endpoint and verifying the change.
Here’s a table with recommended MTTR (Mean Time to Resolve) targets based on vulnerability severity, tailored for penetration testing and security operations. These are industry-aligned best practices and often used in mature security programs:
| Severity | Recommended MTTR | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Critical | < 24–72 hours | Immediate risk to business, often remotely exploitable or causes full compromise. |
| High | < 7 days | Severe impact if exploited, but may require more specific conditions or access. |
| Medium | < 30 days | Moderate impact or more complex to exploit; needs timely mitigation to prevent escalation. |
| Low | < 90 days | Low impact or informational findings; schedule remediation as part of maintenance. |
| Informational | Best effort / N/A | Not exploitable directly; monitor and address if context changes or during routine updates. |